Norman Jewison Director Sidney Poitier Virgil Tibbs Actor Rod Steiger Bill Gillespie Actor Warren Oates Sam Wood Actor Quentin Dean Delores Purdy Actor James Patterson Purdy, Delores' brother Actor William Schallert Mayor Webb Schubert Actor Lee Grant Mrs. Leslie Colbert Actor Scott Wilson Harvey Oberst Actor Matt Clark Packy Harrison Actor Anthony James Ralph Henshaw Actor Larry Gates Eric Endicott Actor Kermit Murdock H.E. Henderson Actor Khalil Bezaleel Jess Actor Beah Richards Mama Caleba Actor Peter Whitney George Courtney Actor William Watson McNeil Actor Timothy Scott "Shagbag" Martin Actor Jack Teter Philip Colbert (uncredited) Actor Alan Oppenheimer Ted Appleton (uncredited) Actor Stirling Silliphant Screenwriter Walter Mirisch Producer Haskell Wexler Cinematographer Hal Ashby Film Editing Quincy Jones Music Paul Groesse Art Director Robert Priestley Set Decoration Alan Levine Costume Design Lynn Stalmaster Casting Del Armstrong Makeup Artist Jim Henderling Production Manager Howard Joslin Unit Production Manager Newt Arnold Second Assistant Director Terry Morse Jr. First Assistant Director Richard Carruth Music Editor